Tiger fishing
Tiger fishing is the pursuit of the tiger fish; it’s about looking for the best fight from a fish you can find in Africa. The tiger fishing experience is truly memorable as the mission will take you to some unchartered waters of Lake Kariba and the Zambezi river system. These predators are incredibly sought-after by fishermen everywhere. Tiger fish can reach up to 12 kg’s, but even one as small as 1 kg will give you a great fishing experience.
African tiger fish
There are a few reasons why tiger fishing, being considered the best fight you can find in fresh water Africa, it is a serious title to hold and is not taken lightly. The sheer power in even the smaller tiger fish is incredible. A tigerfish under 1 kg can make you believe you have something of size.
The fish is especially beautiful too, with a silver blue shine and its razor sharp teeth really make an impression. Your heart can skip a beat when you see it shimmer under water, and you know you have caught one!
Equipment
The tackle used to catch these beautiful tiger fish varies quite a lot, generally light tackle, a graphite fishing rod with fishing line up to 30 pounds when trawling, to 10 pound line if doba doba ( hanging in mid water). The fly fisherman is also found tiger fishing. Spinners, live bait, or the sardine-like Kapenta as well is used to catch them. The live bait can be in the form of small tilapia, chessa, mberi, or just fillets. Tiger fish are cannibalistic, so fillets from a previously caught smaller tiger fish are very useful.
Techniques
Techniques used when tiger fishing are many, and new ones are always being discovered by the avid fisherman of Lake Kariba. Trawling in deep water is a method used to catch big tiger fish in tournaments. Spinning with lures of various colours is useful when around rocks or trees or in fast moving water like the Zambezi river. The live bait option is used with good results, as is the method with strips of fish fillet on your hook, and the ever successful Kapenta. Kapenta can be used in different ways as well depending on your location and the location of tiger fish, such as deep water, mid water or on the top water.
Fishing locations
There are many places for tiger fishing, due to the fact that the Zambezi River is 2300 km long, you can imagine the number of locales to fish are numerous. Zambia has good hunting grounds, known as the Barotse plains which are upper Zambezi; the middle Zambezi would encompass Lake Kariba and the section of river between Lake Kariba and Lake Cahorra Bassa in Mozambique. Then of course the remaining stretch of river that runs to the Indian Ocean. The Chobe River in Botswana is also good for tiger fishing, as are the Kavango River in Namibia and the Okavango Delta.
Best times
The best times for tiger fishing the Zambezi river system and the lakes which lie on the river are between October and April. The fishing is best at these times, although you can have reasonable success throughout the year. Tiger fish tend to follow certain feeding patterns and these are known by the regular visitors and locals. Methods and techniques can change from year to year, and depending on rainy season’s occurrence and regularity the fish can be on the bite at slightly different times of each year.
Guided fishing trips
Kangamani Tours guided fishing trips are 10 day trips, starting on the Zambezi River. We will show you some of the well known areas for catching various species. We will also show you the methods used in different parts of the river and the lake, how to rig up your rods and any other necessary information. The tour can be a mix of camping and accommodation; the days are spent travelling in the morning to our next location if the weather permits, or fishing and game viewing.
How to book
Our guided fishing tours are available throughout the year and can be booked online. Click for information and bookings.
